Journey to the East

Hermann Hesse

34 pages 1-hour read

Hermann Hesse

Journey to the East

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1956

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

H.H. is a violinist, storyteller, and the narrator of the text. He joins the League with the goal of writing an accurate historical account of his experiences on a mystical journey. As he attempts to reconstruct events from his memory, he experiences deep self-doubt regarding his sanity and his ability to separate fact from hallucination.

Key Relationships

Traveling Companion of Leo

Childhood Friend of Lukas

Initiate under The Speaker

Romantic Interest of Princess Fatima

Fellow Traveler of Ninon

Fellow Traveler of Sancho Panza

Leo is an assistant to the group who is responsible for carrying luggage. He maintains a consistently cheerful demeanor, often singing and whistling while working. He possesses an unusual affinity for animals and believes strongly in the concept of service, suggesting that artists must serve in order to gain immortality.

Key Relationships

Servant to H.H.

Assistant to The Speaker

Companion to The Alsatian Necker

Lukas is a newspaper editor, historian, and author who recently published a book about his wartime experiences on the front lines. He provides a secular, academic perspective to H.H.'s struggles with memory, viewing the act of authorship as a necessary tool for psychological survival.

Key Relationships

Childhood Friend of H.H.

Investigator of Leo

Supporting Characters

The Speaker is an official within the League who manages the initiation of new members. He acts as an intermediary for the High Throne, confirming memberships, enforcing vows of silence, and managing the expectations of the pilgrims.

Key Relationships

Evaluator of H.H.

Assisted by Leo

Princess Fatima is a figure whose favor H.H. seeks to win during his journey. She represents a specific, personal aspiration for him amid the broader, communal goals of the League.

Key Relationships

Romantic Ideal of H.H.

Object of Jealousy for Ninon

The Alsatian Necker is a dog that spends time in the local parks. The animal acts as a barometer for the internal states of the people it encounters, showing loyalty to those it trusts while displaying sudden hostility to strangers.

Key Relationships

Companion to Leo

Hostile toward H.H.

Ninon is one of the many diverse individuals the group meets on their journey. She is defined by her insecurity and her sharp envy regarding the beauty of other women.

Key Relationships

Jealous of Princess Fatima

Fellow Traveler of H.H.

Jup is a magician whom H.H.'s group meets on their travels. He represents the eclectic, mystical nature of the people drawn to the path.

Key Relationships

Fellow Traveler of H.H.

Collofine is a sorcerer who crosses paths with the League members, adding to the surreal atmosphere of their shared experience.

Key Relationships

Fellow Traveler of H.H.

Klingsor is an artist found working inside a League building. He remains entirely focused on his painting while others conduct their business around him.

Key Relationships

Observed by H.H.

Louis the Terrible is a peculiar figure the group meets on their journey. Like the others, he participates in the shared faith of the travelers.

Key Relationships

Fellow Traveler of H.H.

Anselm is another participant in the grand procession of believers moving toward the East.

Key Relationships

Fellow Traveler of H.H.

Sancho Panza is a squire from literary fiction whom H.H. encounters and spends time traveling with, demonstrating the journey's ability to transcend space, time, and reality.

Key Relationships

Fellow Traveler of H.H.

Puss in Boots is a fairy tale cat whom the group meets during their travels, reinforcing the mystical and non-linear nature of their path.

Key Relationships

Observed by H.H.

Armida is a fairy whose singing the group listens to while resting at a castle.

Key Relationships

Listened to by H.H.

Agramant is a giant rumored to be hosted in the tent of H.H.'s leader. Although H.H. never sees him directly, his presence contributes to the mythology surrounding the group.

Key Relationships

Subject of Rumor for H.H.